Deke Bellavia

Deke's SEC rankings, week #4

by Deke Bellavia,posted Sep 18 2013 8:24AM

Man ole, man the games just get bigger and bigger in the nation’s best football conference. The Tide rolled just enough over Johnny and the Aggies, the Tigers are rising in the West, and the end of the season could have two major match-ups. Let’s take a look at my SEC Rankings as we move into the fourth week of the season.

1. Alabama (2-0) – QB A.J. McCarron showed poised and he got some help from his defense in a shootout win over the Aggies. Now it’s smooth sailing for the Tide, right? Probably! Last week beat Texas A&M 49-42 / this week vs Colorado State.

2. LSU (3-0) – The Tigers Offense has been the story for LSU so far. LSU is churning out 488 yards and nearly 50 points on average in their first three games. Now, like the rest of the Tigers Fans, five straight SEC Games will give a better indication of how much improved the LSU Offense is. Last week beat Kent State 45-13 / this week vs Auburn.

3. Georgia (1-1) – The Bulldogs got some much deserved rest and now face North Texas before a huge one takes place between the hedges against LSU. Could UGA run the table and get back to the ATL for a third straight season? I would say that’s a pretty good bet. Last week off / this week vs North Texas.

4. Texas A&M (2-1) – Ok I don’t think anyone (except LSU Fans) would mind of the Aggies ran the table and got another shot at the Tide. It very well could happen. Like him or not, Johnny Football is all that. And much more! Man, he has some signature moves, don’t he. Did you get one of those? Last week lost to Alabama 49-42 / this week vs SMU.

5. South Carolina (2-1) – Have any of us really seen the Gamecocks Team that ended the season with a big win over Michigan? It seems like to me that the Gamecocks are just kind of wandering around.

6. Ole Miss (3-0) – Hugh Freeze and the Rebels are rolling right now. Is Ole Miss a legit threat in the SEC this season? That question will most certainly be answered in the next few weeks with dates with Alabama, Auburn, A&M and LSU. Win two of those and I would say that the Rebels have arrived. Last week beat Texas 44-23/ this week off.

7. Auburn Tigers (3-0) – Auburn got a game wining drive behind the play of QB Nick Marshall. Now a real test takes place with a trip down to Baton Rouge to face the real Tigers of the SEC. Last week beat Mississippi State 24-20 / this week @ LSU.

8. Florida Gators (1-1) – Who is Florida? Does anyone really know how good these Gators are? We may not find out the answer to that question until the Gators visit Baton Rouge in October. As bad as the Gators have played they should be 4-1 when they go to Death Valley. Last week off / this week vs Tennessee.

9. Tennessee (2-1) – The up and coming Vols got a strong dose of reality last week with a beat down in Eugene. Rocky Top fans, it’s OK, the Vols are not that bad. This is a bowl-caliber team. Not a great team. But Butch Jones is the right man for the job. Give this program a few years. They will rise again! Last week lost to Oregon 59-14 / this week @ Florida.

10. Arkansas (3-0) – I told you before the season began that Arkansas would start the season 3-0 before they head to New Jersey. If the Hogs beat Rutgers this week it would set up an interesting match-up in two weeks against A&M. Last week beat USM 24-3 / this week @ Rutgers.

11. Missouri Tigers (2-0) – The Tigers now start the real tough part of their schedule. A high scoring Hoosiers Team in Indiana poses a real challenge for the Tigers. Missouri could really see their season start to unravel if they fall to Indiana this weekend. Last week off / this week @ Indiana.

12. Vanderbilt Commodores (1-2) – The Doors really got it handed to them in South Carolina last week. Now I think Vanderbilt can win their next three games and be 4-2 when Georgia comes to town in mid Halloween month. Last week lost to South Carolina 35-25 / this week at UMASS.

13. Mississippi State Bulldogs (1-2) & Kentucky Wildcats (1-2) – The Bulldogs outplayed Auburn and still lost and the Wildcats hung tough against rival Louisville. These teams might combine for 11 wins this season. And one of those elven wins comes in a month when the Cats and Dogs scrap it out to see who avoids the basement in the SEC. Last week Auburn beat Mississippi State 24-20 and Louisville beat Kentucky 27-13 / this week Kentucky is off and Mississippi State host Troy.